U.S. Sea Drone Strikes Hit Iranian Naval Base in First Combat Use

The United States launched a third consecutive night of strikes against Iran, targeting a submarine and ship‑maintenance facility at the Bandar Abbas naval base. For the first time in combat, U.S. forces employed one‑way attack surface drones – three Corsair unmanned surface vessels – which “hit the port at Bandar Abbas Naval Base, marking the first time American forces have employed sea drones in combat operations,” CENTCOM said.

The attacks were intended to degrade Iran’s capability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint through which about one‑fifth of global oil passes. President Donald Trump announced a naval blockade of Iranian ports and initially floated a 20 % cargo fee, later retracting the fee while pledging investment deals with Gulf states.

Over 20 U.S. Navy warships and hundreds of aircraft have been deployed to the region. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard responded with missile and drone launches at U.S. facilities in Bahrain, Jordan and other Gulf locations. Oil prices rose more than 9 % amid the escalating tensions.